And I am the 'stage manager' at the top of the sketch who keeps returning to tell Mr Borge how many minutes till transmission. They wanted an actor who could play the piano but I couldn't get the waltz under my fingers sufficiently well to take any of the piano playing roles, so they rewarded me with this instead! If you look closely, you'll see that I am a fraction late on my entry at 2.40... My stage name is Jeremy Nicholas. Working with one of my comedy heroes was a dream come true. I was lucky enough to see his live theatre shows five times. Still the funniest solo act of all time.
@@author7027 That's a joke, right? Borge was a more than accomplish pianist in his own right. Even here his beautiful phrasing shines through his intentional mistakes
@@pauldashwood2897 That depends on circumstances. But in this case, Borge is an expert pianist, so he know just what sounds the most horrifically funny. 🙂 Anna Russell did the same thing with opera singing.
Виктор красавчик! Так непринуждённо и натурально лажать на инструменте, это умеет только профессионал. Хоть и особо не понимаю английского, но тут было всё понятно)))
I'm going to learn that passage just to annoy Borge :D May he rest in peace, an amazing comedian! (and pianist, cause it takes a lot of talent to play wrong on purpose!)
The simplistic sketches are always the best. They appeal to everyone and not one note of foul language from anyone in the whole sketch. Victor comes on and plays Turkey In The Straw.
Every time I need a break in "real life", I turn to Victor... I LOVE how he repeatedly pretends not to know the piece... That's actually harder than playing it once you know it. And... You know he knows it... 😏
A seemingly simple sketch idea that lasts a short time but has so much humour in it. The end when he sends the young autograph hunter away is so funny. May Mr Borge rest in peace
My piano teatcher had all the DVD's of this guy and his act, and once a month she made her students loan one of those DVD's and watch it for the next class XD One of my favorite homeworks from her XD
@73lele I saw him live when I was 4. For some reason, at that age, I'd always say "ONLY 4" when someone asked me my age. He asked me when I met him backstage afterwards, and I said "ONLY 4", to which he replied, "Ah, well I am ONLY 82"
LMFAO!!! This Victor Borge clip is soo HILARIOUS!!! Especially when the tea guy played the flute to a Chopin classic! Victor Borge is one talented guy!!
My late parents loved Victor Borge. I think he was amusing but also reminded them of the music halls of their early 20th century childhoods. Plus mum was a pianist and loved Chopin.
This was one the first shows recorded at the then very new London Weeekend Studios next to the Thames. It was shown at 9pm Christmas Eve (ULTRA PRIME TIME!!) The producer was Bruce Gower & his p.a. was Vicki Ford (Both truly wonderful people) The musicians were sent a telegram (!) & given 3 days to learn Chopin's C# minor waltz. The first two rehersals were held at a big.empty room in a north London tower block. There was just an upright piano there. The 3rd day had a rehersal in the brand,spanking new LWT big studio. This scene was as the start of the show, like it was still a rehersal. There was only one take and the mistakes were kept in because Victor`s ad-lib comments after these blips were so priceless. By now you must be thinking how does this guy know so much about this? The answer is simple, I am Michael!! My real name is John Pochin. I studied at the Royal Academy of Music. 10-18 yrs as a junior, then full time gaining a GRSM, LRAM & PGCE. I am now 57 yrs old and I'm still loving every minute as a album producer, composer, arranger,performer, lecturer etc. Basically anything to do with music and any style. I love 'Happy", I just wish I could touch the the whole world like that super cool fabulous song!! So lastly, tq so much for all the comments. I'm so happy that after all these years new generations of music lovers are still finding this as funny as I did when we shot it. One request; the next time I do something like this I want to sit down to perform Chopin. If you stand up it is so bloody hard!!! All your weight on your left foot because you need your right foot for the sustain pedal.But at 14 yrs old, the world is a fantastic place and you just do it. No nerves at all. I'm from Leicester, but I've lived in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia for nearly 30 yrs because I love it hot,surrounded by wonderful people and woderful cultures, all blending seemlessly together. So inspiring!!!! Tq you all once more. Stay cool!! P.S My late dad in one brainy moment noticed that our family name Pochin is actually a anogram of Chopin! So I guess I just had to play the piano. Keep rocking guys!!!!!
The little boy, the old man, the lady, the barman... everyone manages to play that masterpiece but only Victor can manages to make a bad impression... i'm still laughing 😂😂😂😂 OUT! 🤣🤣🤣
It's like Les Dawson - a very accomplished piano player - in fact it's so hard for such a player to play badly and make it realistic. I, too, love this sketch and this is my 4th or 5th time of watching it and still find it very funny indeed. :)
@grumbles : I saw him perform in Brooklyn College years ago, and brought along an LP cover of his in case I got close enough to him to ask for an autograph. Sure enough as I was heading out to the parking lot, I passed him getting into his limo. I shoved the cover in his face and said "Mr Borge may I please have your autograph?" He looks at this picture of himself from 1953 and says, "Who is that man?" (I still have that autographed LP. Funniest pianist I ever saw, and a lovely man.)
I have never laughed so hard at anything in my life like his routines. He was so elegant, intelligent, with impecable timing, a true gentelman of comedy. And his playing...RIP
My Mom taped this on VHS back in 1983 when it was shown on PBS (the whole show). The tape got either lost or destroyed a couple years later and I haven't seen this since I was 13 which was in 1984. Does anyone know where I could find a copy of this full show???? Be glad to pay whatever money :)
Favorite one I saw was he sat down and started playing a weird disconected piece. Then he stopped, looked at music and turned it over and began playing besutifully. The stage giy had put it upside down . A joke of course. But pefrfectly done.
